20demayo Chapter 229: Earth's Crystal
Chapter 229: Earth's Crystal
Jade, adorned in her skin-tight suit that clung to every curve, with her long black hair cascading down her back, turned to Gojaro. "This is surprisingly snug. What's it for anyway?" she inquired, her voice echoing slightly in the spacious room.
Gojaro, with a sense of urgency, replied, "I will explain on the way. Let's not keep the higher-ups waiting." As they both proceeded to exit, Jade couldn't help but notice the familiarity of the long hallway they traversed.
Although it seemed somewhat recognizable, the intricate designs adorning the walls differed slightly from those she had seen before, imbuing the space with a unique yet vaguely familiar essence.
The ground beneath their feet was polished to a reflective sheen, a stark black contrasted with white lines that snaked along its surface, guiding their path. Gojaro, with a focused gaze, pulled out a small, crinkled paper map. He studied it for a moment before confidently stating, "Okay, let's see. Yes, that's right. The infirmary is about 30 minutes away. Okay, let's go."
Jade, her curiosity piqued by the snug fit of her suit, was caught off guard by Gojaro's sudden acceleration through the dimly lit, intricate hallways of the facility. The walls, adorned with cryptic designs that hinted at the organization's rich history, seemed to whisper secrets as they passed.
"Why are we walking so fast?" she inquired, her voice echoing slightly against the polished, monochromatic floor that stretched before them.
Gojaro, with a light chuckle that seemed to dance through the air, shared, "Well, the ceremony starts in barely 20 minutes, and we're a good 30-minute stride from the stage area. Time is of the essence."
Jade's confusion deepened, a frown briefly crossing her face. "But how? I was just with the director no more than a quarter-hour ago," she protested, her tone laced with disbelief.
With a reassuring glance back at Jade, Gojaro simply stated, "He's known for his efficiency and tight schedule."
As Gojaro transitioned into a swift jog, he called back to Jade, "I'll go slow, but do try to keep up, okay?"
In encounters with creatures like those we've seen with Ash and the others, they won't hesitate to use every underhanded tactic to defeat you and breach our defenses."
Rubbing the top of her head, Jade considered his words, "I guess that makes sense. Does this mean we've made it in time?"
Gojaro, after a brief check of his phone, confirmed they were on schedule but still needed to descend further. He strode past Jade, his hand reaching for the door handle, which emitted a subtle blue glow at his touch. As he pulled, what appeared to be an ordinary door revealed a massive elevator on the other side, now fully opened.
"Let's go. The ride down takes a few minutes," he said, stepping into the elevator.
Jade, still catching her breath from the sprint, followed with a nod, her curiosity piqued. "Just how far down are we going exactly?"
In response, Gojaro produced a small golden key from his pocket and inserted it into a slot. Turning the key triggered a second panel of buttons to emerge, and he pressed the R button at the bottom.
"To the crystal, so pretty far down," he explained, as the elevator began its descent into the depths below, the concept of their destination wrapping Jade's mind in a mix of anticipation and wonder.
Jade's curiosity piqued at the mention of a crystal. "A crystal? What does a crystal have to do with anything?" she inquired, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Gojaro, pulling out his phone momentarily before tucking it away, responded with a hint of mystery in his tone. "I had the same questions years ago, and to be honest, I still don't fully grasp it. But essentially, it's this indestructible object that prevents us from using our powers," he explained as the elevator began its descent, its movement marked by the gentle clanking sounds of its operation.
Jade's mind raced with questions. "So, you're saying that everyone on Earth has this ability, but it's locked away by a crystal... why?"